BERGFREE ADVENTURES NEWSLETTER NUMBER 55 5 June 2008 The “Devil’s Knuckles” or Three Bushmen Bushman’s Nek Southern Berg U.K Hikers Chris contacted me some time ago, and asked if I could organize a few days in the berg, and that they would like to do a summit of a high peak. Details of dates, transport, hiking kit etc was sorted out .On the 13 April I met Chris and Paul at the EKZN Wildlife office at Bushman’s Nek. The day was cool and clear, a great day for hiking in the great open mountains of the Southern Drakensberg Water was taken from the cool mountain streams, lunch was had on a high plateau above the river far below. The climb is quite steady and intimidating as it is steeper than it looks. We opted for the longer more zig zag path, rather than just straight up the side of the mountain. Later we passed the remains of the old border post between the then Basutoland and South Africa. A border post in the middle of nowhere. Later on we cut across the hills, leaving the path behind us, crossed the old border fence, and a bit later arrived at out cave for the night. Tea was had; bags unpacked, and then back to a nearby water spot to get water for the night. Washing (?) of tired bodies was done in another water hole some way from the drinking water. As the sun went down , the cool air o a winter wind settled over the browning gras of the mountain. The next morning started with a very cloudy sunrise, but that soon cleared and turned the mountain feature known as the Devil’s Knuckles into a beautiful Orange/Brown colour for a few moments. Breakfast was had in the cave , with a lovely view of the mountains. Our goal was to climb up to the high point on the left hand Knuckle. When there is plenty of water around, this area is known for its many tarns – small natural pools of water , When the rains stop, the tarns are brown and empty and difficult to see. The climb is a long hard slog up a mountains ravine, and then higher up a long steep slope. Slow and steady is the way, with rests taken to view the far stretching country side below. Chris eventually found a patch of snow, and lay down in it to cool off. Once on top of Devil’s Ridge , Lesotho stretches to the West, and KZN to the East Then finally on to the top After a slow, careful descent, we arrived back at the cave in time to head back to the water hole for a wash as the clouds built up an a cold fresh wind swept across the plateaux. The last morning we had a perfect sunrise, packed our bags, and headed down a long , long steep ridge to get down from the high cave that had been our home for two nights. Lunch was had at Cedric’s Pool. Paul decided he needed a swim to get his body rejuvenated after his hiking ordeal of the past 3 days. Then the final leg of the hike back to the border post. Thanks Chris and Paul for the opportunity to hike with you guys, it was a great experience, made better by the perfect weather that we had. I trust that the rest of your trip went of just as well. Hope to hike with you again one day when we can do part of the Amphitheatre together ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~